Airport board newcomer’s biz insight seen as huge asset

Monday

ROCKFORD — Phil Rubin joined the Greater Rockford Airport Authority Board of Commissioners because he felt it was the best opportunity to make a difference in the city he’s lived in his entire life.

ROCKFORD — Phil Rubin joined the Greater Rockford Airport Authority Board of Commissioners because he felt it was the best opportunity to make a difference in the city he’s lived in his entire life.

“I wanted to contribute to something that’s positive,” said Rubin, who attended his first meeting Thursday. “I can talk anybody’s ear off and people say, ‘Why don’t you get off your butt and do something about it?’ I ran out of excuses.”

He was tapped by Winnebago County Board Chairman Scott Christiansen to fill the seat. Rubin is president and CEO of J. Rubin & Co., which runs steel service centers.

Rubin is the second new board member to be named this year — K. Edward Copeland was named to the board earlier this year by Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey — and both newcomers feel their job is to continue the direction the airport has already charted.

“I see the airport as being a huge economic engine, and the previous board and the staff have done an outstanding job to bring it to where it is at,” Rubin said.

He also brings knowledge and interest in the railroad industry, which can help with the airport board’s other role as the Winnebago County Rail Authority.

Board Chairman Mike Dunn said he asked Christiansen for a board member who had a strong business background to fill the spot.

“We are very pleased that somebody of Phil Rubin’s caliber and understanding of finance and accounting, budgets and balance sheets was the chairman’s selection,” Dunn said. “Phil will bring a great entrepreneurial attitude as well as good financial oversight to the airport.”

Rubin replaces Eugene Allen, who resigned last year.

Both Christiansen and Morrissey said they liked the direction the airport was going, and used their picks to put people with complementary skills on the board.